The following is a selection of articles regarding staff motivation. Should you wish to contribute to this section with your own article, or would like to suggest a particular topic for our next article, please contact us. Is there such a thing as 'the' key to success? Call it by any other name, such as faith, trust or optimism but self-confidence is the foundation stone of any upwardly mobile person. There are career limiting moves and there are pitfalls. Ever seen a tiger get caught in a pit? There is no way out. So try to keep any mistakes on the 'career limiting' end of the spectrum. The most simple and cost-effective method in increasing efficiency, is simply showing your employees that you care about them and appreciate their hard work. Read about the benefits of a motivate staff and how to plan and run staff motivation programs in this series of articles written for the Sunday Times. When people talk about the sense commitment they have to their team or group, one cannot help but wonder what that essence is that makes a good team. Every manager worth his or her value in their organisation is faced with an ongoing challenge - how to motivate their work force, how to ensure that their employees bring, or will continue to bring, energy, passion and a positive attitude to work every day. At some point in our lives we will find ourselves on the receiving or giving end of criticism. No one likes criticism - it can be hurtful, it is usually regarded as a putdown, it can be a source of anxiety and tension and almost always, it is taken personally. Do you believe in yourself? Do you give yourself the credit you deserve? Self-Esteem can help us to achieve so much. It is an integral part of personal happiness, fulfilling relationships, success in business and achievement. What is 'Discrimination'? In general, discrimination occurs when someone is treated differently because of a particular characteristic, such as where they come from, their gender, hair color, height, weight, religious beliefs, disability, health issues, political affiliation, marital status, sexual orientation and age. Do you feel overwhelmed by your job, that it feels too much like 'hard work' or just plainly 'unexciting'? Do you find yourself waking up at night thinking about work? Do you dread that alarm going off in the morning and then dragging yourself out of bed to go to work? And do you find the idea of the weekend, or an upcoming holiday, more and more appealing? If you have answered yes to these questions, keep in mind that you're not alone. "Sorry, we are going to have to let you go. As of today, your services are no longer required by the company". And in that instant your world changes! Your self esteem, your confidence, your security all go flying out of the window with just those few words. Rebuilding from this point can be very difficult. Are you lonely? Do you work on your own? Do you hate having to make decisions? Then hold a meeting!!! You can get to see other people, sleep in peace, offload decisions, feel important and impress (or bore) your colleagues - and all in work time!!! Meetings - the practical alternative to work!!!. We often hear people discussing the 'glass ceiling' syndrome that many of us, mainly women, face today. So, is it true that in 2002 this is still a problem? But what is the 'glass ceiling'? One of the professions within the business world that is truly taken for granted is that of the Secretary - or the PA. Over the years we have seen a change in the role of the Office Secretary - there is the Executive Secretary, the Personal Assistant and now as well "Girl Friday" - which is of course a "jack of all trades in the secretarial field!" What makes a good leader? To begin with, leaders don't wait for other people to give them permission to do something. They just seem to get on with doing it. People who are leaders will accept full responsibility for any choices they may make. "We feel ourselves that what we are doing is just a drop in the Ocean. But if that drop was not in the ocean, I think the oceans would be less because of that missing drop" - Mother Teresa. Remember the first day at school, when you felt so strange and out of place? How about the first day of work? Having the CEO or Managing director make a point of coming over and giving a warm smile and a handshake together with a few words of encouragement will go a long way to building the basis of a long and fruitful relationship. But it is not enough ! A team is a group of individuals - with different backgrounds, personalities and experiences - who have put all their qualities together in order to achieve a common goal. Changes in the job we hold, whether for better or for worse, are many times considered by our societal standards as weaknesses - or else an inadequacy in settling down. Work-life balance is about adjusting working patterns. Regardless of age, gender or race, everyone can find a rhythm to help them combine work with their other roles they have in life e.g. parent, student, carer etc. We've all done it to fool around. Walking with a book on your head to keep an erect posture is one of the fundamental exercises towards gaining poise. The ability to keep your back straight and chin up, looking straight ahead, not only makes you look good, but also gives you confidence. One constant and never-ending battle faced by several managers and bosses is that of keeping their employees happy, not only with cash grants but also with providing the right working environment for them to feel happy when coming to work. Do loyal employees still exist? Are they found - or can loyalty be created? What does loyalty mean? It is a two-way process, a give-and-take based on mutual respect. There is a picture in our minds of a while-collar worker who is loyal to the company out of gratitude for the chance to earn a living. Five of the most common behaviours that hold us back from living the lives we really want to live.
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